Screen time refers to an activity performed in front of a screen like watching television, use of computer, and playing video games. It is a sedentary activity which means you are spending time in front of a screen remaining seated and being physically inactive. On the other hand, obesity refers to an abnormal or excessive buildup of fat that risks to one’s health. A body mass index (BMI) of 30 and more is considered obese.

Numerous studies have been conducted on the connection between screen time and obesity. A recent study published in Pediatrics shows that not all screens are equal. According to Dr. Michael Rich, it’s actually television, and it has something to do with how much time is spent watching it and how much of it is actually being paid attention to rather than simply being in the background. That’s what’s really driving the connection between screens and people’s weight problems nowadays. In light of this, their working premise is that when they are watching television, they aren’t seeing commercials for the unlimited supply of broccoli and carrots. They are seeing commercials for products that are slightly different, slightly more poisonous, slightly more processed, and somewhat deficient in nutrients. The other aspect of what they witnessed in their clip is that they are preoccupied with what they are seeing on TV while its happening. In other words, they are stimulating the tongue, ears, and eyes, but they are doing so in a way that prevents them from focusing on their hunger and satiety cues. As a result, individuals are not eating for physiological reasons but rather for comfort or for stimulations in that environment, which is why they are not listening to their bodies’ signals. Dr. Michael Rich believes that that’s an intriguing problem.

One of the most strongly proven outcomes of screen time is obesity. In a study from National Library Medicine, one significant method that exposure to screen media increases children’s energy intake is through eating while watching. Kids watch a significant amount of screen media throughout their regular meals and calorie intake. In one study, up to a third of daily energy intake and half of children’s meals were consumed in front of a screen. This effect may be partially attributed to the length of time spent in front of screens, the types of high-energy foods and beverages that are consumed while watching, the media’s ability to trigger or prompt eating, the lengthening of the eating process, or the media’s ability to distract from or obscure feelings of fullness or satiety. Current evidence suggests that screen media exposure leads to obesity in children and adolescents through increased eating while viewing; exposure to high-calorie, low-nutrient food and beverage advertisement that affects children’s preferences, choices, consumption habits; and reduced sleep duration.

You can set phone curfews, turn the TV off after a certain hour or install some apps that limit the amount of screen time available on a particular device. Screens are everywhere and part of our daily lives, but everything should be in moderation.

//Carangcarang, Angel Mae, CMU On-the-Job Trainee

REFERENCES:

Robinson, T. (2017). Screen Media Exposure and Obesity in Children and Adolescents. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5769928/#:~:text=Current%20evidence%20suggests%20that%20screen,habits%3B%20and%20reduced%20sleep%20duration.

Obesity. (n.d.). Children and Screens. Retrieved from https://www.childrenandscreens.com/findings/obesity/

Why We Overeat: The Toxic Food Environment and Obesity. (n.d.). The Forum at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. Retrieved August from https://theforum.sph.harvard.edu/events/why-we-overeat/

Obesity. (n.d.). World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/obesity#tab=tab_1